Assistant Professor of Acting, Voice and Speech

Six-Year - Teaching Track Position

Acting/Voice and Speech - Renewable

Overview:

Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Acting, Voice and Speech (Teaching Track) in the School of Theatre Arts. This six-year, renewable position is ideal for individuals who thrive within a focused community of artists, artisans, and scholars committed to thoughtful collaboration, excellence in training and pedagogy, and student-centered teaching. Start date is August 15, 2025.

The School of Theatre Arts seeks candidates whose artistic achievement, teaching, and service have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education. Diversity in our environment embraces the acceptance of a multiplicity of diverse backgrounds and worldviews. We translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. We believe that such experiences are both institutional and service imperatives. We encourage applications from individuals with demonstrated knowledge of and relevant abilities working with diverse communities.

About the Teaching Track:

The teaching track focuses on developing innovative curricula as well as contributing to the success of students, the department, and the university. It is a renewable, nine-month appointment built on consecutive six-year contracts. Typically, initial appointments are at the rank of Assistant Professor, with the possibility of promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor. While not eligible for tenure, appointments on the teaching track are designed to support long-term teaching engagement and continued professional growth. Teaching track faculty are eligible for a sabbatical following the successful renewal of the initial six-year contract and every seven years thereafter. Additional benefits for the position include start-up funds and three-course releases to be taken in the first five years of appointment. Professional development funding is available, as is mentoring both within and outside of the department. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Information about internal grant opportunities, external grant development support, and sabbaticals are available online: Faculty Development

Description and Requirements:

This position engages substantially with performance curricula and student mentorship across the program. The successful candidate will teach a scaffolded sequence of introductory-through-advanced Acting to both majors and non-majors, with a focus on behavioral realism and personal authenticity in performance. The successful candidate will also teach a two-semester sequence of Voice and Speech for the actor, with a focus on vocal mechanics and production. Individuals specifically equipped to coach students in Shakespeare and the performance of accents or regional dialects are encouraged to apply.

More specifically, the position includes:

• An eight-course assignment per year (4/4), divided between the core teaching described above and other individualized areas of expertise: e.g. Directing, Script Analysis, Playwriting, introductory courses in college writing, etc.
• Course release for directing one production each season
• Academic advising and curriculum development within the discipline
• Co-facilitation of Senior Industry Showcase(s) alongside other faculty
• Student recruitment
• School and University service, counting toward advancement/promotion

Qualifications:

• MFA and/or Ph.D. in Acting or Directing
• Experience teaching at the undergraduate level
• Demonstrated artistic/professional development
• Additional preferred qualifications may include membership with Actors Equity Association (AEA), SAG-AFTRA, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDCS), and others

About IWU and SoTA:

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) is a nationally ranked, small, private undergraduate liberal arts university with rigorous admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence, emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. We are strongly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. Illinois Wesleyan University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The School of Theatre Arts (SoTA) mission is to train well-rounded, entrepreneurial theatre artists prepared to work in professional settings, and to utilize creative problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills in contexts beyond the theatre. The School of Theatre Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University is a vibrant pre-professional program serving approximately 100 majors. It is one of five professional schools at the university existing within a traditional liberal arts matrix. Theatre students may pursue a BA or one of three BFA degrees in Acting, Design/Technology or Music Theatre. In addition, SoTA supports four distinct minors: theatre studies, theatre design and technology, film studies, and dance.

Located in central Illinois, Bloomington-Normal is a metropolitan region with a small town feel, about two and a half hours from three major cities (Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis) and easily accessible via Amtrak, local airports, and major highways.  

Benefits:

Information about health care, retirement, tuition benefits and more is available online: Employee Benefits

Instructions:

All applications should be sent electronically. Please include as a single PDF:

• cover letter, with a statement describing your perspectives on and experience with inclusive teaching practices
• curriculum vitae
• graduate school transcripts
• names and contact information for three references
• portfolio or website address, if available

Email materials to Tom Quinn, Head of the BFA Acting Program: tquinn@iwu.edu

No phone calls, please.

Timeline:

Committee review of applications will begin January 8, 2025. Candidates whose applications advance can expect to be contacted by February 3, 2025.